Office of International Student and Scholar Services

Florida International University, Miami, FL

Immigration Advising and Academic Advising for international students: Is there a common goal?

What is an “international student”?

International Student Services: What is that and what do they do there?

How do international students maintain legal status in the U.S.?

What are the consequences of falling out of status?

How can we work together to help international students?

Most would agree that all members of a university community have at least one goal in common: student success.

In the case of international students, academic success and maintaining legal immigration status usually go hand in hand.

The best outcome for a student is often achieved by the willingness of many offices on campus to collaborate and provide a united effort to serve the needs and best interests of the student.

So it is with international student services and academic advising offices…

F-1 Student VisaBy far the most common

student visa for degree-seeking students and students in intensive English language programs

M-1 Vocational Student VisaOnly at certain schools

(e.g. flight training)

J-1 Student VisaMore restrictions; higher

reporting requirements for school

Exchange Students (non-degree-seeking)

Some degree-seeking students funded by home government and students sponsored by special programs (e.g. Fulbright)

A non-immigrant holding a student visa (or student status)

F-1 and J-1 (and M-1) students are the only non-immigrant students that:have a full-time enrollment requirementhave records maintained by an international student

services office

But there are other foreign students!other visa categories: dependents of foreign workers,

diplomats, investors, international organization employees, religious workers, etc. (these students abound in places like Washington, DC for example)

just be aware your school may have them and they are not subject to the same regulations

Sometimes these students must change status to F-1

723,277 Students

Top Three Countries Nationally: China India South Korea

Top Three Institutions (largest number of international students): University of Southern California: 8,615 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: 7,991New York University: 7,988

53,955 StudentsAlabama: 6,340Florida: 29,719 Georgia: 15,359Mississippi: 2,537

Top Three Institutions (largest number of international students): University of Florida: 5,393 Georgia Institute of Technology: 4,943Florida International University: 2,677

Most popular majors: Business and Management, Engineering, Math,

Computer Science

Country with largest increase from previous year: China23% overall / 43% at undergraduate level

Women represent 45% of international students

$21 Billion to U.S. economy

70% of funding from outside U.S.

It may be dangerous to overgeneralize but some characteristics you will find quite commonplace:

From educated and wealthy or middle class families

From top of the class at schools in their home countries (often have identity as a “good student” that may come into question if they face language and/or cultural barriers in the U.S.)

From an educational system where students do not have much freedom to select their own classes, change their academic path, etc. – often they do not have to take much personal responsibility to plan out their program of study

Many different models May be integrated with

academic advising

May be part of an “international center” or institute, connected to study abroad office and other programs, and very involved in internationalization activities of the school

May be stand alone office

May provide significant social and cultural programming, may not, depending on structure and funding

No matter what the structure, serves a vital compliance function for the school Advisors are “DSO’s” –

Designated School Officials (F-1) or “RO’s” – Responsible Officers (J-1)

Must report information about international students to Department of Homeland Security through a database called SEVIS: Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

DSO’s/RO’s must report the following in SEVIS for each international student:

Enrollment status (beginning of each semester) Full-time Less than full-time, authorized Less than full-time, not authorized (VIOLATION OF

STATUS) Not enrolled (VIOLATION OF STATUS)

Dropped classes (resulting in less than full-time enrollment)(VIOLATION OF STATUS)

Graduation

Change of address or other biographical info

Change in academic program (change of major, length of program)

Advising (appointments / walk-in hours)

Orientations for new international students

Informational workshops: Bring immigration attorneys to campus Provide information sessions on Employment, Travel,

Cultural Adjustment, etc.

Maintenance of immigration records in SEVIS and issuance of updated immigration documents for international students (I-20 and DS-2019)

Authorize - or assist with application for - Practical Training (employment authorization for internships, etc.)

What do international students need to do?Keep immigration documents up to dateDo not engage in any unauthorized employmentMaintain good academic standing and make

“satisfactory progress” toward completion of degreeAND

Maintain full-time enrollment, when required**

**This is the most essential component of maintaining student status and it is here that academic advisors can provide much needed assistance

May depend how the institution defines “full-time” Same load as for athletes, scholarship recipients etc.

Usually 12 credit hours for undergraduate students(Usually 9 credit hours for graduate students)

Student must enroll full-time in Fall and SpringSummer optional

Student must enroll full-time in Summer if it is student’s first semester at that schoolInternational students transferring in summer from

another school in the U.S. often get confused about this regulation

ONLINE CLASSES:

Student may take only 3 credits of online coursework that will count toward full-time requirement

That means: At least 9 credits must be in-person/on-campus

Student may not take all online classes in final semester

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT:

Undergraduate students may take up to 6 credits (half-time) at another school as long as credits will transfer back to home institution to count toward degree requirements

Full-time requirement and online rule still apply each fall and spring (and during the summer if the student’s first semester)

Students MUST obtain DSO/RO approval before enrolling less than full-time or before dropping a class. Circumstances that may allow for this authorization are VERY LIMITED:

• Academic Difficulties (first semester only)

• Medical Conditions

• Final Semester/Completion of Program

IMPORTANT: Students are eligible for employment ONLY if they are in valid F-1 or J-1 status. Students who fall out of status must interrupt any previously approved employment.

MOST COMMON TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT On-Campus Employment – F-1 and J-1: 20 hours or less per

week during Fall and Spring (may be more than 20 hours per week during Summer and school breaks)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) – F-1: Authorization for internships that are part of student’s academic program

Optional Practical Training (OPT) – F-1: 12 months of general work authorization allowing student to work off-campus in their field of study either before or after graduation

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): employment benefit available to F-1 students who will complete a required internship or an internship that is an “integral part” of their academic program

There is little guidance in the regulations about specific procedures schools should use to authorize this type of employment

Wide variation among schools in the policies and procedures used by ISS offices in relation to CPT – check with ISS at your school and always refer an international student planning to do an internship to that office

It should be determined that the student is eligible for CPT before pursuing internship options (before application or placement in a position)

NOTE: CPT employment authorization is required whether the position is paid or unpaid

ACADEMIC REASONSLess than full-time enrollment (no authorization)Dropped class(es)Too many online classes (equivalent to less than full-

time)Academic dismissal

NON-ACADEMIC REASONSEmployment (paid or unpaid) without authorizationFailure to request program extension before expiration

date on I-20 or DS-2019Failure to properly complete immigration transfer from

one U.S. school to another

Which do you think are more common?!

The violation is reported to DHS – it may not cause immediate consequence (likely the student will NOT be deported) but future problems with travel, visa renewal, etc. May cause significant stress and personal issues

If previously authorized to work, student must stop working immediately; student will not be eligible for employment benefits while out of status May cause financial hardship May cause academic interruption if unable to complete a required

internship

There are procedures to regain student status – an out-of-status student should visit the ISS office as soon as possible to initiate the process Sometimes requires the student to travel – disruptive and

financially burdensome All procedures to regain status incur a cost

Proactive advising modelAccount for full-time enrollment requirementDevelop ways to identify international students

Plan several semesters aheadLock-step programs or high level of sequencingPrograms with high number of online offeringsBalancing high- vs. low-availability courses

Be resourceful – use all available options, be creative Concurrent enrollment Summer enrollmentStrategize with student to effectively allocate courses

Always refer international students to your ISS office when they face decisions or experience circumstances that may affect their status, for example:

Failing a class: To drop or not to drop?Problems at home: Need to take a semester offFinancial difficulties that may affect enrollmentInternship or job opportunity has come upPoor grades have resulted in academic dismissal

Building Relationships

Become familiar with the staff and services of other officesestablish a regular contact – know who to call

when there is a problem or you have a question

ISS: regular outreach to academic advising officestrainings or meetings to discuss international

student issues

Academic Advising: invite ISS staff to your general or annual meetings or forums; disseminate relevant information

Regular Communication and Assistance

Most formal approach: Designate liaisons between ISS and Academic Advising

Most simple/universal rule: When in doubt, call and ask

Reinforcing information: Make sure all advisors are on the same page so that the student receives ONE message

When we work together we instill confidence in each other and in our

students

We welcome your questions, your suggestions and your feedback!

Thank you!

Dr. Ana Sippin, DirectorInternational Student & Scholar ServicesFlorida International University, Modesto Maidique Campus

Ted Randall, Associate DirectorInternational Student & Scholar ServicesFlorida International University, Modesto Maidique Campus

Jessica Larsen, CoordinatorInternational Student & Scholar ServicesFlorida International University, Modesto Maidique Campus